Friday, May 14, 2010

The Alexandria Police Department is reporting that there was a shooting this morning in the 1200 block of Wythe Street.

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred early this morning in the 1200 block of Wythe Street. Friday, around 4:15 A.M. police were called for the report of shots fired in the area of Wythe Street. Officers arrived on the scene and were unable to locate a victim or witnesses. Minutes later a victim was dropped off at a local hospital suffering from a non life-threatening gunshot wound. Further investigation determined the crime scene to be the 1200 block of Wythe Street.

Detectives are on scene and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Section of the Alexandria Police Department at (703) 838-4444 or the Crime Solvers tip line at (703) 838-4858. Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous

The shooting took place two blocks from the Braddock Metro Station. Given that we are closing in on the first anniversary of the daylight murder of Michael Horton behind the 600 block of Payne Street -- only a block from Metro -- is it time to start asking why Alexandria leaders continue to tolerate a level of violence that is absent from other Northern Virginia Metro stations?

And if in the City has found funds for next fiscal year to restore two of the three community policing positions that were going to be cut, shouldn't one of those reinstated be the resident officer for James Bland?